Fury erupts at Winter Olympics curling match
A heated confrontation unfolded during the Winter Olympics curling match between Canada and Sweden in Cortina, overshadowing the sporting action with accusations of cheating and a barrage of insults, reports BritPanorama.
Canada, led by skip Brad Jacobs, ultimately triumphed with a score of 8–6 in the round-robin encounter at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium. However, the match will be remembered as much for the fiery exchanges as the final score.
The flashpoint revolved around claims made by Sweden’s Oskar Eriksson, who repeatedly accused Canadian player Marc Kennedy of doubling touching the stones during delivery — a controversial interpretation of curling rules. According to the sport’s regulations, a player must release the stone before crossing the hog line, but a second touch before that line is permitted, signifying the complicated nature of the dispute.
Tensions flared early in the match with Kennedy vehemently denying the allegations, emphatically telling Eriksson to “get lost” amidst a heated back-and-forth. The situation escalated when Eriksson insisted he had video proof to substantiate his claims, alleging that one incident occurred two meters over the hog line. This defensive posturing was coupled with a palpable sense of disbelief among fans, who witnessed outbursts that are uncharacteristic in the usually decorous environment of Olympic curling.
Sweden pressed officials throughout the contest, with Niklas Edin, the defending Olympic champion, visibly incredulous as appeals were made. The game was temporarily halted after the second end when both teams aired their grievances to umpires. Eriksson sought clarification on the interpretations of the rules, while Canadian player Ben Hebert suggested that referees scrutinise Sweden’s own deliveries equally.
The contention continued with Eriksson alleging yet another hog line violation during the sixth end. Although some footage appeared to show Kennedy’s finger moving towards the stone as it approached the line, the on-ice judge concluded there was insufficient evidence to penalise.
World Curling later affirmed that it had thoroughly reviewed the allegations and determined that no infractions occurred. They emphasized that a stone must be clearly released before the hog line; should a violation occur, the stone is removed. Curious innovations at these Games, such as electronic handles that signal violations, showed no signs of wrongdoing during the match.
Despite the surrounding controversy, Canada secured its third victory in the round-robin stage, while Sweden’s defeat left them at the bottom with a 0–3 record. Kennedy, speaking shortly after the match to CBC, expressed incredulity at the persistence of the cheating accusations, bluntly indicating he had clearly directed his opponent’s focus. The match underscored how swiftly tensions can run hot in sports, reflective of the thin line between competition and conflict on such grand stages.
